james, we talked about this as a very fluid, very dangerous situation. what do we now know? >> reporter: jenna, good afternoon. white house officials are now saying president obama is receiving regular updates on this situation which remains as you say ongoing and sensetive. the numbers involved here have varied wildly with the latest from algeria's state news service now saying nearly 100 of 132 hostages seized have been freed. that word comes after algerian security forces launched a helicopter assault on the complex yesterday. 18 of the islamist militants have been reported killed. however there are reports two filipino hostages have died. earlier today britain's prime minister confirmed the death of one britain. he said london received no advance notice of the helicopter raid. >> when i spoke to the algerian prime minister later last night he told me this first operation was complete but this is a large and complex site and they are still pursuing terrorists and possibly some of the hostages in other areas of the site. the algerian prime minister has just told me this mo